What Was Done in 11 Years?
Sajid Raina/Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 04 : Many areas were submerged in Srinagar outskirts on Thursday after the water from river Jhelum entered the residential areas in Taigan and Shalina localities, prompting the authorities to launch a massive rescue operation. The administration has evacuated nearly 9500 people from different parts of the valley reported news agency KNO.
The heavy rainfall on Wednesday afternoon once again led to the rise in the water level in different rivers and streams across Jammu and Kashmir, leading to a flood-like situation across the region.
Water level recedes at Sangam
However, the water level amidst the improvement in the weather conditions has started receding. The Sangam station of river Jhelum has receded below the danger mark after a gap of 28 hours.
As per the details, the water was flowing at 24.53 ft this evening, just some inches below the danger mark.
The latest readings at River Jhelum show: Pampore: 6.36 m (danger mark: 5 m); and Ram Munshi Bagh: 21.62 ft (danger mark: 21 ft).
Other readings include Asham: 13.99 ft (danger mark: 16.5 ft) and Wullar: 1576.77 m (full level: 1578 m).
Regarding tributaries, the data show: Vishow Nallah at Khudwani: 7.39 m (danger mark: 8.5 m); Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi: 3.47 m (danger mark: 5.7 m); Lidder Nallah at Batkoot: 0.55 m (danger mark: 1.65 m); and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama: 2.07 m (danger mark: 3.9 m).
While the water level is still above the danger mark at Ram Munshi Bagh station and Pampore, the flood threat still looms across Srinagar, with some of the areas in the Srinagar outskirts like Taigan and Shalina getting submerged.
The rescue operation was immediately launched to evacuate the families from the flood-affected areas.
Nearly 9500 people evacuated
Earlier in the day, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg said that nearly 9,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Budgam as a precautionary measure following a breach in the Jhelum embankment.
He also urged people not to panic, assuring that the situation is under control as the water level is receding. “Some areas of Budgam were inundated, but as a precautionary measure, we carried out evacuations last night itself. Around 9,000 people were safely shifted to avoid any loss of life,” Garg told reporters.
Similarly, the Police in Srinagar said they rescued and evacuated nearly 200 families from flood-affected areas of the district.
The district police have formed quick reaction teams to actively assist stranded citizens, a police spokesperson said.
“In response to the ongoing flood-like situation and heavy waterlogging in various parts of the city, Srinagar Police, in close coordination with SDRF and River Police, has activated a comprehensive evacuation and relocation plan to safeguard the lives and well-being of affected citizens,” he said.
The spokesperson said teams from concerned police stations, along with River Police and SDRF units, have been deployed under the supervision of territorial officers across multiple vulnerable locations in the district.
“These teams have successfully evacuated and relocated nearly 200 families and individuals from the severely impacted areas, which included 24 families and houseboat dwellers who were rescued from Peerzo Island and Basant Bagh,” he said.
According to the spokesperson, 39 families were evacuated from Bonyarbal, S R Gunj, Malik Sahib, Safakadal, Pamposh Colony, Noorbagh, Guzarbal, and Madanyar Fateh Kadal. “Around 20 families and individuals were evacuated and relocated from Dedi Kadal, Habba Kadal, Zaindar Mohalla, Tankipora, Karan Nagar, Kursoo, Iqbal Colony, and Aramwari, while 20 families were rescued from Tailbal and vulnerable areas of Hazratbal,” he added.
The spokesperson said 63 individuals were rescued and relocated from Panzinara-Mujgund, Bund Side, Maloora Bund, Khawajabagh Bund, Parimpora Bund, Bilal Colony Bund, Qamarwari, Rampora Chattabal Bund, Zenpora, and Tengan.
Landslides damage infrastructure
Moreover, a series of landslides disrupted life and infrastructure across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, damaging projects, transport links, and border fencing while prompting multiple rescue operations.
In Kishtwar district, a landslide struck temporary tin structures at the Ratle power project site in Dhrabshala. The sheds, which had been erected for use as washrooms, collapsed under the impact.
Five people who were inside at the time were trapped. They were pulled out by the local administration and rescue teams. Three among them were shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Doda for treatment, officials said.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, said he had spoken with Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma following the incident. He wrote on X that the timely response by the district administration had prevented further harm. Singh added that the rescued individuals were receiving medical attention and other required support.
Elsewhere, connectivity was affected in several sectors, including in many parts of Kishtwar. The Jammu–Katra shuttle train, introduced recently to facilitate local travel and assist stranded passengers, remained out of service for a second consecutive day due to flood-related damage and landslides along the route.
Officials also said that nearly 30 kilometres of fencing along the international border in Jammu division had been impacted by floodwaters.
In several areas, the barriers were submerged, displaced, or bent, creating additional security and maintenance challenges, they said.
In Udhampur district, a major landslide hit a section of National Highway-44, the primary road link between Jammu and Srinagar. The incident took place at Tharad, where a 200-metre stretch was damaged by hill movement.
Teams from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have been deployed to restore traffic and clear debris. The disruption has added to the difficulties faced by commuters and transporters already struggling with weather-related closures.
In Ramban district, police and local administration carried out a rescue operation after around 50 tourists from West Bengal were stranded near Nashri on the Jammu–Srinagar highway.
The group, which included women and children, had been stuck for several hours after sudden flash floods and falling debris cut off movement on the road.
The official said that a team from Police Station Batote, joined by the Tehsildar and the disaster management unit, responded soon after receiving information. The visitors were moved to Batote, where they were accommodated in safer conditions. According to police, all tourists were unharmed.
Weather forecast
Pertinently, the weather conditions improved across Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday afternoon, with the weatherman predicting dry weather conditions till September 07.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places with moderate showers at one or two districts of Jammu division for the next three days.
He added that on September 8 and 9, a spell of moderate rain is expected over a few districts of Jammu division during 8th late night and 9th morning and improvement thereafter. Also, from September 10 to 12, a brief spell of rain and thundershower activity is expected at a few places.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing floods could have been prevented if authorities had acted on the plan post-2014 floods and implemented concrete preventive measures.
The CM, visited several flood-affected areas in Budgam district and urged the Centre to immediately announce a relief package for victims.
He said timely evacuation by the administration saved lives, but damages to homes and infrastructure were “unavoidable and must not be ignored”.
“Had the governments in the last 11 years taken preventive measures, the situation could have been different,” Omar said. “We formulated a package after the 2014 floods to increase the carrying capacity in flood channels and the river Jhelum, but unfortunately, it seems that the 11 years have been wasted.”
CM Abdullah said that in the next week, he will conduct a review to see what has been done in the last 11 years and what needs to be done to ensure that such a situation is prevented in the future. We will raise the questions in this regard to get the answers, he said.
“As the teams from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have been deputed to Jammu districts, I will write to the Home Minister Amit Shah to depute the team to Kashmir districts also to assess the damage caused to the orchards, agriculture and other things due to the floods and announce the package for both Jammu as well as Kashmir accordingly,” he said.
About the floods, the CM said Srinagar has been protected, but some areas like Lasjan and others have been submerged. He, however, added that the administration, including Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and MLAs, have evacuated the people on time, which saved lives, but there is undeniable damage to the properties.
During his visit to Tengan and Shalina in Budgam, Abdullah reviewed the situation caused by continuous rains and rising water levels in the Jhelum, which led to breaches and flooding of nearby areas. He commended the swift action of the administration and MLAs, who remained on the ground during the crisis.
Meanwhile, DSEK in an order said, “In the backdrop of the recent inclement weather conditions and the subsequent flood situation, along with gusty winds during which several school buildings were submerged and some structures sustained damage.”
The directorate further said, “It has become imperative to ensure the safety of school premises before the resumption of classwork.”
“Accordingly, it is ordered that the classwork in all Government as well as Private Schools in the Kashmir Division shall commence from Monday,” DSEK said.
The director further said that the incumbent Heads of Institutions (Hols) and staff shall ensure ensure proper cleanliness and sanitization of classrooms and school premises in advance so that the classwork is conducted in a safe, clean, and hassle-free environment reported news agency KNO.
